[Boatanchors] Vintage QSL Cards are under way.

[Tom Norris]

Forwarded to the BA list at the request of the
originator. Email him and not me.


From: <reformschool at juno.com>
Sender: owner-glowbugs at piobaire.mines.uidaho.edu

Hi, Gang:

QSL card production has commenced!  Currently
we ( i )  have one design.  More designs will be added
as time goes on.  The design i am filling orders for
right now can be seen at:

http://www.qsl.net/wd4nka/


Card dimension: 3-3/4 by 5-1/2.  Non Glossy
Colour used this run: egg shell. ( prettier than green.)

In case you have a hard time seeing the details on the
image used on my site, it reads:

" United States of America
Amateur Radio Station
WD4NKA
(name, address)
In confirmation of contact with
Radio Station: _________
On Frequency: ______  MHz. at: _______  UTC
( date field.  )
RST:_______ , Band condition at time of QSO :______
Remarks:________________________ "

Naturally changes can be made as desired.  Alterations
from this format can include a brief description of your
station, or space provided for the same.

For an added fee, return addresses can be printed
on the reverse. 

This card was the result of combining features
common to cards of the wireless era.  Everyone
has their favourite flavour, howrever, like mc
instead of mHz, QSA instead of RST, etc.

When possible, i can e-mail a proof of the "printer's
proof" for your approval. Ahh, the marvels of our
age can make even vintage technologies a bit
more efficient.

I will soon  have a full spiff sheet i can e-mail until
i get a regular site for this operation.  Till then i
thought i might make an early-bird offer to this
list.

Prices as of : 27 May 2004 ---

500 single colour cards = $ 50.00 U.S.
1000   "      "         "            = $ 75.00
each additional ream ( 500 ) = $ 25.00

Pre-payment is desired, so's i kin go out and
roust up the materials, paper, ink, coffee, and
gas.   But if, when the cards arrive you are really
really really not happy with them, the money will
be refunded.  I believe in only paying for what
you are happy with.  But with that, let me add
that these are not the slick computer generated
and litho printed cards you can get for a dime a
billion.  These are hand made, and have all the
earmarks of hand made, hand cut cards, which
have a beauty all their own which cannot be
whacked out en masse.  I do not think these will
have, therefore, a widespread appeal.  But then,
neither do boatanchors ,  pine-board rigs or
telegraph keys.  Ok, i'll stop unselling myself.

Each card is individually impressed on an 1894
8 x 12 C&P Platten press.  All production tools
and methods are 100 years old or older.  Type
cast in 1992 by Quaker City.  PSE be patient with
orders, they take time. In some cases i have to
order fonts, which in itself takes a week or more.
Unless i get inundated, this should not happen.
I plan on orders working on a weekly run sched.

Hey if you use heavy iron to make those BA contacts,
why not a card printed from heavy iron to confirm those
contacts?  A 1929 era rig?  Why not a 1929 era card?

E-mail either :   reformschool at juno.com     or
wd4nka at aol.com     for orders or more information.
Pse keep inquireys off this respective list, unless
it might be of general interest for all members, and
somewhat on topic ( like i never do, anyway.)

Where the money goes:  Well, part to cover the costs
incured by the Barberville Pioneer Settlement of the
Creative Arts, Barberville, FL.  Part of it goes to me
to cover my costs.  Some folks might like to add a
donation to the Museum.  Any proceeds over the
standard fees will receive a separate receipt for tax
deduct purposes. Volusia Co. Florida sales tax is 7%.

Each order will have a shipping cost calculated and
included when an order is placed.

My hope is that printing vintage wireless ephemera
like this might enhance the fun in glowbugging, BA'ing
and bring back a little nostalgia. 

Look in the future for "eyeball" qsl cards in the form
of business cards of the turn of the century. 

Your Humble Servant.

gary // wd4nka